Griffin practices, may play Sunday

Ashburn, VA (Sports Network) - The Washington Redskins received some very
encouraging news regarding the availability of quarterback Robert Griffin III
for their upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns, as the rookie sensation
was back practicing on Wednesday just three days after injuring his knee in
this past weekend's win over Baltimore.

Griffin, who suffered a Grade I sprain of the lateral collateral ligament in
his right knee during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 31-28 overtime triumph
over the Ravens, participated in non-contact drills during Wednesday's session
and told reporters afterward his health is steadily improving.

"It's gotten better every day, which is a positive sign for me," Griffin said.
"Sunday night, I thought there probably was no chance that I could play the
next week. Then Monday morning, I felt better about it. Yesterday, I felt
better about it and today, I feel really good about it."

While the Redskins won't make a determination on Griffin's status for Sunday's
matchup with the Browns until later in the week, head coach Mike Shanahan said
his young signal-caller would play if cleared to go.

"We will see at the end of the week if he is full speed, ready to go,"
Shanahan remarked. "If he is, he will play."

Fellow rookie Kirk Cousins saw increased reps in Wednesday's practice and
would draw his first career start in the event Griffin is held out. The 2012
fourth-round pick took over for a hobbled Griffin against the Ravens and threw
a touchdown pass to Pierre Garcon with 29 seconds left in regulation to bring
the Redskins within 28-26, then ran in the subsequent conversion attempt to
force overtime.

Griffin has started every game this season for Washington, which has
vaulted back into playoff contention in the NFC by ripping off four
consecutive victories, and is presently tied with New England's Tom Brady for
the NFL lead with a 104.2 passer rating. The 22-year-old also tops all
quarterbacks with 748 rushing yards and has thrown for 18 touchdowns with just
four interceptions while completing 66.4 percent of his attempts.

The 2011 Heisman Trophy recipient has been particularly good during the
Redskins' current unbeaten run, having amassed 10 touchdown passes and only
one interception along with a 68.5 percent completion rate over that stretch.